Public transit authority OC Transpo abandoning youth passes starting September 1, setting equal fares for passengers aged 11 to 19 as those for adults.
Ottawa to Eliminate Youth Monthly Pass as Part of 2025 Budget Measures
In a move aimed at reducing a proposed budget deficit, the City of Ottawa has decided to eliminate the youth monthly pass for transit users aged 11 to 19, effective September 1, 2025. This decision is part of the city's 2025 budget.
Currently, the youth monthly pass costs $104, but with its elimination, youth riders will be charged the adult monthly pass fare of $135, representing an increase of $31 per month for each youth transit user.
This change, coupled with the elimination of free transit for 11- and 12-year-olds, is expected to increase public transit costs by approximately $4.8 million in the 2025-26 draft budget. This figure reflects the net financial impact from fare adjustments and subsidy removals, rather than a simple pass price increase.
Troy Charter, the acting OC Transpo general manager, sent a memo to the council about the discontinuation of the youth pass. The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority has also prepared a report for the 2025-26 draft budget, detailing the projected increase in public transit costs due to this change.
Customers with a youth concession on their Presto card will be charged the adult monthly pass fee as of September 1, 2025. The youth monthly pass, which was for 11- to 19-year-olds, will be replaced with the adult monthly pass.
This decision has sparked discussions among residents and council members regarding the impact on youth and families who rely on public transit. The city is yet to announce any alternative measures to support youth transit users in light of this change.
[1] City of Ottawa 2025 Budget: https://www.ottawa.ca/en/budget/2025/budget-highlights
In light of the City of Ottawa's decision to eliminate the youth monthly pass and replace it with the adult monthly pass as part of the 2025 budget, it's evident that there will be a significant increase in transportation costs within the finance industry for youth riders, amounting to approximately $4.8 million in the 2025-26 draft budget. With the growing debate about this decision among residents and council members, the industry's focus has turned towards finding alternative measures to support youth transit users who rely on public transportation.
